Police Nab Woman Caught on Video Trying to Slit Maid’s Throat in Umuahia

Abia State Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka

Police Nab Woman Caught on Video Trying to Slit Maid’s Throat in Umuahia

UMUAHIA — The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old woman, Mrs Nwoko Gift, for allegedly attempting to kill her 12-year-old house help and niece, Miss Ebony Chimamanda, with a kitchen knife at IBB Housing Estate in Umuahia, following the circulation of a disturbing viral video on social media on Monday, July 6, 2026, which captured the horrifying moment the woman assaulted the young girl and attempted to cut her throat with a knife. In the footage, the visibly terrified victim is seen lying face-down on a concrete floor, pleading for mercy while crying, “Aunty no,” as she shielded her throat from the weapon, and a neighbour in the compound filmed the entire incident, while the young girl was later rescued by a man who intervened to stop the woman from carrying out the deadly attack.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred on Sunday, July 5, 2026, and the suspect, who hails from Ehime Mbano, Imo State, allegedly attempted to kill the girl because she refused to spread clothes she was instructed to hang before the suspect left for the market. The police spokesperson detailed: “Preliminary investigation reveals that on 05/07/2026, Mrs Nwoko Gift, female, 35 years old, of Ehimembano Imo State but resides at IBB Housing Estate, Umuahia, the aunt to Miss Ebo Chimamanda (female, 12 years) of the same address, on the same date attempted to kill Miss Ebo Chimamanda, who stays with her, on the basis that she refused to spread the clothes she was asked to spread before the suspect left for the market” . Police investigations further uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse, revealing that the suspect had repeatedly beaten and threatened to kill the young girl in the past, painting a grim picture of prolonged domestic violence against a vulnerable child entrusted to her care.

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Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives from the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuahia, raced to the scene, rescued the victim, apprehended the suspect, and recovered the kitchen knife used in the attack, ensuring that the weapon was secured as evidence for prosecution. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, and the suspect will be charged with attempted murder upon the conclusion of the inquiry, as police work to build a strong case that ensures justice is served for the young victim. The Police Command strongly condemned the act, with DSP Chinaka stating: “This act is strongly condemned in its entirety. The Abia State Police Command is aware of the incident, and investigation is currently ongoing. The suspect is in our custody, and we will keep the public informed as the investigation progresses” . In a further statement, the command added: “The Command condemns such actions for whatever reasons and advises members of the public to desist from such acts, as well as to report any such incidents to the nearest police station. Together we can keep Abia safe. See something, say something” , underscoring the importance of community vigilance in combating domestic violence and child abuse.

The viral video has triggered widespread outrage across social media, with many Nigerians condemning the attack as attempted murder rather than discipline, and the public has demanded swift justice for the young girl while expressing concern over the rising incidence of child abuse across the country. Nigerian writer and social commentator Charles Ogbu, founder of the Leave No One Behind Rural Care Initiative, has called on the government to declare a state of emergency on child abuse and violence against children in Nigeria, arguing that the frequency and brutality of such incidents demand urgent systemic intervention. In a passionate social media post, Ogbu declared: “I have said it again and again, our society needs to declare a state of emergency on Child abuse and violence against children. And offenders deserve nothing but the harshest punishment possible. This is a blight on human civilization. Happened today at IBB Estate, Umuahia. I have since forwarded the video to the state government and secured assurances of their prompt action. This is attempted murder!” , reflecting the growing frustration among Nigerians who feel that existing laws and enforcement mechanisms have failed to protect vulnerable children. The incident has renewed calls for stronger protection of vulnerable children and enforcement of the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law across Nigeria, as the young victim is expected to receive medical and psychological rehabilitation from the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, which has been urged to take custody of the minor and ensure her long-term safety and wellbeing.